Drace – Pebble Beaches, Coastal Paths and History

Drace lies on the northern coast of the Pelješac Peninsula in Bratkovica Bay. Pebble beaches give the village a distinct coastal character, while named trails run through different parts of the surrounding area. If you are looking for hotels in Drace, you can start planning your stay around the beach, walking trails, harbour or local history. These themes provide practical guidance for planning your trip: in Drace, the coast and trails meet historic buildings and a harbour.

Coast and Walking Trails

Walking Trail 5 leads from Drace to Janjina and back to Drace. The route follows the entire coastal side of Drace and passes Stuvid Bay. It then continues through Janjina’s olive groves and low Dalmatian maquis. The coastal section and bay offer a different landscape from the olive groves and maquis.

Walking Trail 6 follows the Sreser–Drace–Sreser route. The section through Drace runs along a coastal promenade designed for pedestrians, heading towards Sreser. The routes differ in their named reference points: Trail 5 leads to Janjina and through its olive groves and maquis, while Trail 6 follows the promenade through the village. The area around Drace is also suitable for walks and exploring centuries-old settlements and their traditions.

Harbour and Access

Drace is reached via a local road that branches off the regional road crossing the Pelješac Peninsula. Smaller yachts can moor in the harbour, where water depths range from 1.3 to 3 metres; a breakwater protects it. The road and harbour therefore provide two different points of reference: the local turnoff for travelling by land and the harbour conditions for smaller yachts.

Buildings and Local History

The Chapel of St Nicholas on the Dežulović estate dates from 1882. The Church of St Roch in Drace was built in 1936 with a contribution from Jozo Kalafatović. The buildings mark different points in the village’s history. In 1843, Drace was recorded as the harbour of Janjina on Malo More.

The traditional livelihoods of the residents included agriculture, viticulture and fishing. These activities complement the religious buildings and the historic connection to the harbour, offering a glimpse into local traditions. Thus, the history of Drace encompasses not only the buildings mentioned above but also the traditional sources of livelihood.

Janjina in the Regional Context

In the wider destination of Janjina, the Municipality of Janjina is known for vineyards growing Plavac mali and other well-known grape varieties. The continuity of settlement on the Pelješac Peninsula can also be traced in the Janjina area from prehistoric times through the Illyrians and Romans to the present day. Janjina also features stone, single-storey houses with elements of late Baroque vernacular architecture. Viticulture and settlement history offer a distinct regional perspective alongside Drace’s coastal paths and buildings.

Discover more destinations: Popova Luka, Sreser, Osobjava, Janjina

Return to the broader travel overview: Janjina.